Skip to main content
R
ryanh81837746
Participating Frequently
March 8, 2025
Answered

Lightroom Cloud not syncing back to Local storage

  • March 8, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 494 views

I'm looking at moving away from Lightroom Classic as i find i do more editing on my Ipad than my PC

 

However playing with desktop Lightroom, I have noticed that if i make a edit on my ipad it dosnt sync back to the local storage. Lightroom Classic dose do this and will update my edit from the ones on the cloud. 

 

I currently have Stora a copy of all originals turned on. 

 

Am i missing something? 

Correct answer JohanElzenga

If you are referring to the 'Local' option in Lightroom desktop, then you must understand that this is indeed purely a local option. It saves the edits to a local XMP file, and does not sync them with the cloud. That means that editing an image on the iPad also does not sync these edits to the local option in Lightroom desktop. Saving a local copy in Lightroom desktop is only for backup purposes, and for having a local copy to speed up editing. The local copy itself remains unedited and there is no XMP file stored next to it.

 

1 reply

JohanElzenga
Community Expert
JohanElzengaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
March 8, 2025

If you are referring to the 'Local' option in Lightroom desktop, then you must understand that this is indeed purely a local option. It saves the edits to a local XMP file, and does not sync them with the cloud. That means that editing an image on the iPad also does not sync these edits to the local option in Lightroom desktop. Saving a local copy in Lightroom desktop is only for backup purposes, and for having a local copy to speed up editing. The local copy itself remains unedited and there is no XMP file stored next to it.

 

-- Johan W. Elzenga
    R
    ryanh81837746Author
    Participating Frequently
    March 8, 2025

    This seems a bit of a large miss for. Adobe. The whole point of local storage is that I want to keep my photos and edits back up locally. 

     

    Lightroom classic can currently show cloud edits while your in a local folder. It will the. Let you save the XMP to your local storage. If I update the edit of my photo on the local side it sync it's back to the cloud

     

    It seems a bit of silly move from Adobe to no include this in there lightroom desktop but have it in lightroom classic.

     

    I guess I will need to stay with lightroom classic till they improve their eco system.

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 8, 2025

    Yeah, many people have requested a true local backup option, but so far in vain. You can export your images from Lightroom desktop 'as original'. That will export a copy with an XMP file. But that will be a manually process. You'll have to remember to do this from time to time.

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices